History in the Making? A Look Back at Thailand’s Coup-Riddled Past

Soldiers march near the Government House after anti-government protesters were removed from the site following the coup on May 23.

European Pressphoto Agency

BANGKOK – Thailand has witnessed an astonishingly high number of coups – both attempted and successful – throughout its history.

The most notable, perhaps, took place in 1932, when a group of military officers and civilians grabbed control from King Prajadhipok or Rama VII, a member of the reigning Chakri Dynasty. Their move ended centuries of absolute monarchy and transformed Thailand into governing system with both a king and prime minister.

Some political scientists have preferred to call the overthrow a revolution because the form of government changed. In the 82 years since, there have been 18 coups – seven failed and 11 successful, including the latest.

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The seizures of power by the military have mostly been because of conflicts or the threat of violence. A 100-year-old decree, which is what the army chief fell back on when declaring martial law earlier this week, gives the army full authority to maintain security in Thailand.

A coup took place on average every few years from the 1930s up to 1991. The years between 1991 and 2006, however, were relatively stable and prosperous and marked a 15-year period without military intervention.

The trend ended when a high-profile but bloodless military coup took place against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a populist leader who drew the support of many – particularly in the poor, rural north – but also invoked ire from the country’s elite.

Thai police and army soldiers stand guard outside a military compound before former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrives to report to Thailand’s ruling military on Friday.

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The army chief at the time, Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin, claimed the military needed to intervene to bring an end to a political crisis that was creating a bitter divide in the country. He announced the coup while Mr. Thaksin was in New York City attending a General Assembly of the United Nations.

The next morning, fears of bloodshed were put largely to rest when pictures began circulating of Bangkok residents handing out flowers and bottles of Fanta to soldiers stationed around the city.

Mr. Thaksin has been in self-imposed exile for years to avoid serving jail time for a corruption conviction on charges he says were fabricated.

His presence, however, has never entirely disappeared from Thai politics. Every election held in Thailand since 2006 has been won by political parties and politicians affiliated with him. Yingluck Shinawatra, the prime minister removed earlier this month by the Constitutional Court for improperly removing a senior security official from his job in 2011, is Mr. Thaksin’s younger sister.

Her ouster did not bring an end to a monthslong political impasse that has left the country without a functioning government. So on Tuesday Army Chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha invoked martial law in what he said was an effort to resolve the deadlock. After two days of negotiations between the bitterly divided pro and antigovernment factions, Gen. Prayuth announced the coup, having failed to broker a resolution.

The 60-year-old general, seen as military hardliner and royalist, told the country the coup was necessary to prevent further violence.

“The army aims to keep peace and maintain the safety and security of the people of all sides,” he said.

There was no violence during the last coup in 2006, and while life has generally continued as normal this time, the political environment remains unsettled.

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